Uselessfiles Ransomware

What is Uselessfiles Ransomware?

Uselessfiles Ransomware is not some application you could get rid of by uninstalling it via Control Panel. Unfortunately, if the malicious program manages to get in it might be not only difficult to eliminate it, but also impossible to open your photos, pictures, text or other documents, and so on. That is because the infection is programmed to encipher most valuable files to the user, which means the only unencrypted data on the computer would be the one belonging to the operating system or other applications on it. Nonetheless, the ransom note created by the threat may suggest the user could get all of his data back if he would pay a ransom. As you probably imagine, it might be unwise to trust the hackers behind Uselessfiles Ransomware as they might easily trick you by taking your money and leaving you with encrypted files. Of course, if you do not want to risk ending up being scammed you could refuse to pay the ransom and delete the malware; to do so manually follow the instructions available below.

Where does Uselessfiles Ransomware come from?

The malicious threat might travel with bundled setup files available on malicious file-sharing web pages, Spam emails received from unknown senders, and other data alike. Our researchers at Anti-spyware-101.com say it is even possible the infection could enter the system after exploiting the targeted computer’s weaknesses. Accordingly, to keep the system clean from threats like Uselessfiles Ransomware we would advise you to avoid downloading unreliable installers or email attachments. In case you need to do so, it would be best to at least scan such files with a legitimate antimalware tool first to find out whether there is a reason to be suspicious about them.

How does Uselessfiles Ransomware work?

As many other malicious file-encrypting programs, Uselessfiles Ransomware should firstly try to encipher valuable or in other words personal user’s files. The samples we encountered were not able to perform data encryption as they did not work normally, but there is no reason to think the malware might not encipher data if its installer would work as it is supposed to. Some of the malicious programs similar to Uselessfiles Ransomware append particular extensions at the end of the affected files’ names. Often it is the same as the infection’s title, e.g., in this case, it could be .uselessfiles or something similar. It might be obvious, but the encrypted files become useless as the threat’s name suggests.

Later, it should change user’s Desktop picture with an image showing a ransom note. It is rather long and to sum it up the hackers behind the malware expect to receive a payment of $300 paid in Bitcoins. The problem is it is entirely possible the victims might get scammed. The ransom note does not mention how to contact the threat’s creators and get the needed decryption tools. Also, the infection does not have any window that would decrypt files after entering a specific code or when the payment is made. What we are trying to say, we do not see how the hackers could help users decipher their files. Therefore, we advise you to refuse to pay the ransom.

How to erase Uselessfiles Ransomware

Removing Uselessfiles Ransomware manually could be a bit of a challenge. Our researchers say it is because the malware might block user’s Task Manager and if you do not use it to kill the infection process it might be impossible to erase its launcher. Still, if you feel up to the task, you could follow the instructions available below as they will explain how to enable Task Manager again and delete this malicious program manually. A bit easier option would be to install a legitimate antimalware tool and let it deal with the infection.

Enable Task Manager

1. Launch Notepad.
2. Copy and paste this code:
   REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System  /v  DisableTaskMgr  /t REG_DWORD  /d /0 /f
3. Save the file as TaskManager.bat.
4. Right-click this file and select Run as administrator.
5. Reboot the system if you still cannot launch Task Manager.

Eliminate Uselessfiles Ransomware

1. Tap Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
2. Launch Task Manager.
3. Look for the infection’s process; it could be named UselessFiles.
4. Select the malicious process and press End Task.
5. Leave the Task Manager.
6. Click Windows key+E.
7. Find these folders:
   %TEMP%
   %USERPROFILE%\desktop
   %USERPROFILE%\downloads
8. Look for the malware’s launcher (file opened before the computer got infected), then right-click it and press Delete.
9. Search for this path: C:\Windows
10. Find a file titled UselessFiles.exe, right-click it and press Delete.
11. Open this directory: %TEMP%
12. Find a few questionable .bat files and a file titled getadmin.vbs; right-click the described data and select Delete.
13. Exit File Explorer.
14. Press Windows key+R.
15. Insert Regedit and press Enter.
16. Navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
17. Search for value names titled UselessFiles1 or similarly.
18. Right-click these files and press Delete.
19. Close Registry Editor.
20. Empty your Recycle bin.
21. Restart the system. Download Removal Tool100% FREE spyware scan and
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